Crown Jewels Produce Co. in Fresno, CA, expects an increase of about 20 percent in its table grape volume out of the San Joaquin Valley of California during the 2013 season, according to Atomic Torosian, a partner in the company.

“We are up in our production this year” as a result of additional acreage coming into the program, Torosian said. Some of that additional acreage is on the company’s own ranch. “Crown Jewels is a grower of grapes” as well as a shipper.

He expects a total volume of around 1.2 million to 1.3 million packages out of California this year.

The U.S. Potato Board, the nation's potato marketing organization and the central organizing force in implementing programs that will increase demand for potatoes, named produce industry veteran Blair Richardson as its president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 1.

Fresh Fruit Cuts has launched Woot Froot, a line of expertly selected and processed fresh peaches and nectarines. The line, which caters to health-conscious consumers looking for value-added stone fruit, will be available through October in 2013, although the company is preparing for year-round availability in 2014.

Crunch Pak, a sliced-apples specialist, announced the hiring of Scott Sargent as its new chief executive officer.

He replaces Crunch Pak’s former CEO, John Graden, who will work side by side with Sargent through the end of the year, then become a member of the board and continue as director of raw product purchasing.

Alex Ott, executive director of the California Apple Commission in Fresno, CA, told The Produce News that just about all California crops, including apples, are running about eight days early this year.

Cathy Green Burns will join the Produce Marketing Association as president, effective Dec. 1, as part of its continuing restructure of the senior leadership team. In this new role, which further strengthens the staff’s blend of association management and industry expertise, Green Burns will focus initially on leading board and staff team development as well as lending her insight to business development activities.